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- Title: Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker
- Author: Jennifer Chiaverini
- Narrator: Christina Moore
- Length: 14:02:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 15/01/2013
- Publisher: Recorded Books
- Genre: Fiction & Literature, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
It reminds me of a time when I was wandering the cobblestone streets of Salvador, Brazil, the air thick with the scent of acarajé frying in dendê oil, when I first pressed play on “Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker” by Jennifer Chiaverini, narrated by Christina Moore. The audiobook experience unfolded like a dusty trunk of forgotten letters, each chapter revealing the intricate stitches of a life I’d never known – Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley’s, a former slave turned dressmaker to Mary Todd Lincoln. As a travel writer who’s spent years chasing hidden histories across continents, I was immediately hooked by this tale of resilience, craft, and quiet rebellion woven into the fabric of America’s past.
Chiaverini has a gift for transporting you, not just to a time but to a heartbeat. The story begins in the bustling, divided world of Civil War-era Washington, D.C., where Keckley – a woman who bought her freedom with needle and thread – steps into the White House as more than a seamstress. She becomes a confidante, a witness to history’s unraveling. You can almost feel the weight of the silk in her hands, hear the rustle of crinolines as she fits the mercurial Mrs. Lincoln, whose moods swing like a pendulum between grace and despair. It’s historical fiction that doesn’t just recount – it resurrects.
For me, this audiobook stirred memories of evenings in Oaxaca, where I’d sit cross-legged on a woven rug as Abuela Rosa spun tales of her youth. Her voice carried the same intimate cadence I found in Christina Moore’s narration – steady, warm, and deliberate. Moore doesn’t just read Keckley’s story; she embodies it. There’s a gravitas to her tone that captures the dignity of a woman who stitched her way out of bondage, yet a softness that hints at the emotional toll of living between worlds. The listening experience is like sitting by a hearth, the crackle of the fire replaced by the subtle inflections of Moore’s voice drawing you deeper into Keckley’s journey.
The book’s themes – freedom, identity, and the power of creation – resonated with me on a personal level. I’ve always been drawn to stories of transformation, perhaps because I’ve seen it firsthand: the fisherman in Patagonia who became a poet, the market vendor in Marrakech who taught herself French to sell her wares. Keckley’s ascent from slavery to the inner circle of the Lincoln White House is a testament to that same human alchemy. Chiaverini doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities – beatings, betrayal, the constant shadow of racism – but she balances them with moments of triumph, like when Keckley earns enough to free her son. It’s a narrative that feels both epic and tender, a tapestry of struggle and hope.
Moore’s narration elevates this already rich text. Her pacing is impeccable – slow enough to let the weight of Keckley’s sacrifices sink in, yet brisk during the political whirlwinds of wartime D.C. The audio quality is crisp, with no distracting flourishes, letting the story stand on its own. I listened while driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains last spring, the rolling green hills outside my window a quiet counterpoint to the tension of Lincoln’s presidency unfolding in my ears. Moore’s ability to shift between Keckley’s measured resilience and Mrs. Lincoln’s frantic energy is a masterclass in vocal storytelling – reminiscent of those nights in Oaxaca when Abuela Rosa would drop her voice to a whisper for suspense, then swell with pride for the climax.
That said, the audiobook isn’t flawless. At over 14 hours, it occasionally lingers too long on domestic details – how many petticoats can one scene hold? – and I found myself wishing for a tighter edit in places. Mrs. Lincoln, while fascinatingly complex, sometimes overshadows Keckley’s quieter strength, which feels like a missed opportunity to fully center the dressmaker’s voice. Yet these are minor threads in an otherwise stunning garment. The historical fiction genre thrives on balance, and Chiaverini mostly nails it, grounding her tale in research while letting imagination fill the seams.
Compared to other works, “Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker” sits comfortably alongside “The Invention of Wings” by Sue Monk Kidd, another audiobook I devoured while trekking the Camino de Santiago. Both explore women defying the constraints of their era, though Chiaverini’s focus on craft as liberation feels uniquely tactile – you can almost taste the sweat and determination in every stitch. Christina Moore’s narration also recalls Thandiwe Newton’s work in “The Underground Railroad”, where every syllable carries the weight of history.
If you’re a fan of literary fiction with a historical bent, or if you simply love a good underdog story, this audiobook is for you. It’s perfect for long drives, quiet evenings, or moments when you want to lose yourself in a world that’s both foreign and familiar. And here’s the best part: you can find this gem as a free audiobook through certain library apps or trial subscriptions – check Audiobooks.com or your local digital library for access. The chance to experience this journey without spending a dime is a gift worth unwrapping.
Listening to “Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker” left me reflective. It reminded me why I chase stories – because in every corner of the world, from desert roads to colonial cities, there’s someone like Keckley, threading their way toward something better. This audiobook isn’t just a window into the past; it’s a mirror for the present, asking us what we’re willing to sew into our own lives.
Until the next tale, with a wanderer’s heart,
Marcus Rivera
